Michael Worgul
The Worgul Law Firm LLC
My name is Michael Worgul. I was born and raised right here in Pittsburgh, and it’s probably no surprise that I’ve settled down here too. I went to Duquesne University for my college and law degrees; right after being admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 2004, I joined Arthur Bloom & Associates, LLC, a small private practice. I later joined the Allegheny County Office of Conflict Counsel for two years, representing indigent criminal defendants who needed legal help. I’m a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association, Criminal Litigation section, as well as a member of the Pennsylvania State Bar Association. I’m also admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania to represent clients for federal crimes.
I started my own practice in 2008 to help people through these tough and stressful times – people like you.
ABout the Firm
Whether you are facing your first DUI or are a repeat DUI offender, the state of Pennsylvania punishes those convicted in a particularly harsh manner. Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious crime, one that can affect your life and the lives of others in severely negative ways. If you or someone you know has been charged with DUI, then most likely you have several questions about the steps you should take and the process that follows. Fortunately, a skilled DUI attorney can answer your questions with confidence and point out the best options for you.
HOW A SKILLED PITTSBURGH DUI ATTORNEY CAN HELP
If you are charged with DUI, one of the best options immediately available to you is contacting an experienced Pittsburgh DUI attorney. At once, an attorney can evaluate your situation and determine what type of punishments you are facing and craft an appropriate defense on your behalf.
An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal system of a DUI offense. Your DUI case will commonly follow these stages:
- Preliminary Hearing
- Formal Arraignment and ARD Program
- Pre-Trial Conference
- Trial
- Appeal
Your DUI attorney can give you an honest and valuable opinion about your case and offer you a much-needed support system during this stressful time. Don’t fight your DUI alone.
SEVERE PENALTIES FOR A PENNSYLVANIA DUI
The costs associated with a DUI conviction can be troubling. However, the best legal representation possible can help. If you are caught driving under the influence with any amount of alcohol over the legal Pennsylvania limit of .08, you will be facing the consequences of a DUI conviction. An attorney can help you fight these penalties and possibly avoid severe, long-term consequences. As a DUI offender, you may be facing penalties including:
Significant jail time – Depending on whether you have any prior offenses and the DUI tier you fall in, you may see a jail sentence of a few days to several years.
Costly fines and legal fees You may be looking at fines and fees in the hundreds to thousands of dollars.
License suspensions – As a result of a DUI conviction, you may be looking at anywhere from a few months to year-long license suspensions.
A permanent criminal record – A permanent record can affect all aspects of your life, including making it difficult to find a job.
Probationary Terms– If you do not have any prior offenses, you may be put on probation for a number of months.
However, as a repeat DUI offender, the level of severity for these penalties are increased. A Pittsburgh DUI attorney can present accurate information to you depending on your specific DUI case.
YOUR DUI DEFENSE
Your attorney will immediately sit down with you and ask you to walk through the entire preceding sequence of events leading to your stop and thereafter. Tell your DUI attorney everything. A good DUI attorney will be successful in recognizing the legality of the stop and breathalyzer testing procedures. Your DUI attorney can point out significant weaknesses in your alleged DUI case such as fatigue, health factors, stress, anxiety, or disorientation, and certain legal issues in the way a police officer handled your case. Oftentimes signals of intoxication such as glassy and bloodshot eyes, erratic driving, and slurred or slow speech can be easily explained by innocent factors. An experienced attorney can determine whether your stop was legal and fight for your justice as a citizen.
A strong DUI defense may consist of these elements:
- Probable Cause
- Breathalyzer Testing
- Standardized Testing
Did the responding police officer have sufficient evidence and cause to pull you over for DUI? If you were not driving erratically and swerving it may be possible that it was unacceptable for a police officer to stop you. Pennsylvania police are required by law to provide concrete evidence before stopping a vehicle for DUI. If not, the evidence may be inadmissible in a Pennsylvania court of law.
If a breathalyzer test was administered to check your blood alcohol content, the accuracy of the readings could come into question. Whether or not a breathalyzer is calibrated properly can affect your results. Faulty equipment and improper testing administration procedures can be used in defense against your DUI.
You may be asked to perform a set of standardized field sobriety tests in order for the officer to gauge your level of intoxication. However, if the officer made any errors during testing or while explaining the procedures, this evidence may be suppressed.
Furthermore, if the Commonwealth has evidence that your blood alcohol content (BAC) was above the legal limit at the police station or medical facility, it does not necessarily mean you were above the limit while behind the wheel—your BAC may increase for hours after your last drink.
HOW A DUI CAN IMPACT YOUR LIFE
A DUI can create several problems for the entirety of your life, making seemingly simple tasks impossible. If convicted, you may be seen in the eyes of others negatively. Consequences of a DUI conviction that may impact your life include:
- Higher auto insurance premiums
- Loss of career and new opportunities
- Loss of professional licensure
- Student and University Repercussions
- Criminal record
You may be seen as a riskier driver in the eyes of your auto insurance company and be forced to pay higher insurance rates as a result.
In the most serious DUI cases, you may lose your current job. As potential employers continue to conduct background checks, it may be difficult to find a new job with a record.
Professionals in medical, public service, and other fields requiring licenses to practice may lose their jobs or see a suspension of their license. Commercial driver licensed (CDL) professionals may also lose their job or see a license suspension.
As a student or underage offender, you may face severe penalties with your university. Finding a job after graduation may be difficult with a DUI conviction.
A DUI conviction will follow you and will remain on your criminal record.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON YOUR PITTSBURGH DUI
A DUI charge is severely punished in Pennsylvania, but an experienced attorney can lead you through the entire legal process. During every stage of your DUI, an attorney will help you understand what lies ahead and can recommend the best course of action.
Facing an uncertain future after your Pennsylvania DUI? Learn how the Pittsburgh DUI lawyers at Worgul Law Firm LLC may be able to help. Call (412) 219-6300 for a free and confidential consultation with a skilled attorney today. We are available 24/7 and are here to serve you with a strong DUI defense. We have the experience necessary to fight your DUI charge and will fight for the best possible outcome on your behalf.
Pittsburgh DUI Defense Lawyers
